Nigerians seeking United States business or tourist visas will now face a new financial requirement, with eligible applicants expected to deposit up to $20,000 as a refundable visa bond before travelling.

The policy, which takes effect on August 3, 2026, expands the US Visa Bond Pilot Programme first introduced in 2025 and is aimed at reducing visa overstays while strengthening compliance with American immigration laws.

Under the new arrangement, applicants issued B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas from Nigeria and several other African countries may be asked to pay a bond of $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000. The amount will be determined by US consular officers after assessing factors such as the applicant’s financial capacity, employment status, travel purpose, and ties to their home country.
The deposit will be refunded without interest once the traveller leaves the United States within the period permitted under the visa and complies with all immigration conditions. However, anyone who overstays or violates visa terms risks losing the entire bond.

Besides Nigeria, the policy covers several African countries, including Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, Togo, Algeria, Tunisia, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Botswana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

According to the US Department of State, the measure is backed by Executive Order 14159, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, which directs federal agencies to strengthen immigration enforcement and improve compliance mechanisms.

US authorities said the programme targets countries with relatively high visa overstay rates and concerns surrounding identity verification, document security, and information sharing.
Officials reported that during the pilot phase, the number of visa overstays among affected countries fell to fewer than 50 cases within the first 10 months, compared to more than 45,000 overstays recorded in 2024.

The programme, however, also resulted in a significant decline in visa applications. US data showed visa issuances to affected countries dropped by 83 percent between August 2025 and July 2026 after many applicants chose not to pay the required bond. Authorities said the pilot generated an estimated $115 million in refundable deposits.

The State Department described the programme as an effective compliance tool and stressed that its primary objective is to encourage foreign governments to work more closely with the United States in reducing visa overstays rather than punish legitimate travellers.

US officials also announced that the maximum bond amount will be reviewed every seven years for inflation, with the first adjustment scheduled for October 1, 2027.